Edgewater Casino relocation means job loss for food service workers

VANCOUVER, Aug. 1, 2017 /CNW/ - Nearly 100 food service workers at Edgewater Casino will have to re-apply for their jobs when the company moves to the new facility, says Unifor.

"It's a kick in the teeth to workers who've been working hard and are loyal to this company," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. "Vancouver has the highest cost of living in Canada, but that doesn't matter to corporations like Paragon Gaming. Union-busting and wage suppression is the only business model they know."

Paragon Gaming is relocating Edgewater Casino to a $600m new facility in September 2017 but plans to contract out all of the food and beverage service to a non-union provider Elizabeth Blau. Unifor says doing so will eradicate seniority and reduce benefits for the casino's food workers, some of whom have been with the company for 10 years.

The union says that the company's solution—taking gaming jobs on the floor—is not viable. Unifor says the last time Edgewater expanded, it overestimated staffing levels and new workers saw their scheduled shifts reduced dramatically.

"They've made empty promises to our members about vacancies on the casino floor," said Gavin Davies, Unifor National Representative. "But an entry-level position in a new job that will probably disappear in six months is not job security."

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 310,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor

Unifor Communications Representative Ian Boyko at [email protected] or 778-903-6549 (cell).